A trade needs to be made
If the Clippers can get Kawhi Leonard, he fits in perfect in their new apparently defensive-minded system. He is defensive anchor who is also a versatile scoring superstar and would launch the Clippers back to contention.
The best option would be to wait it out and hope Kawhi joins as a free agent during the summer of 2019. However, is it worth the risk to leave it up to Kawhi?
The Clippers have as good as a shot as the Lakers to give Leonard a new home team. Grabbing Kawhi by any means necessary should still be priority, even if that means trading a few players and late picks to rent him for the year. They would then have the full season to convince him that re-signing is the right move for his career.
However, trade talks have cooled off momentarily, due to the Spurs asking price being way too high. This could change after the Spurs lost Tony Parker and Kyle Anderson per Clipperholics, Brian Cullen.
The Clippers are in a perfect place to strike and cause another blockbuster trade, this time adding a defensive superstar in Leonard. Everyone wins in this scenario: Kawhi gets to play for his hometown in LA, the Clippers add a superstar and the Spurs get back players for Leonard and still screw over the Lakers!